PM Modi did not call for national lockdown, viral screenshot is fake

However, this bulletin is fake and no such broadcast was made by TV9 Bharatvarsh. Such an announcement was not made by the PM either.

FACT CHECK:

A TV 9 Bharatvarsh bulletin, dated April 7, 2021, carried a few similar texts as in the viral screenshot. The bulletin reports on a possibility of a strict lockdown in Maharashtra, according to Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.

The word 'महाराष्ट्र' (Maharashtra) has been edited and written as 'भारत' (Bharat) in the viral screenshot and the text from "महाराष्ट्र में लगेगा लॉकडाउन.. अजित पवार ने दिए संकेत" (Translation: "Maharashtra will face lockdown... Ajit Pawar gave hints") has been changed to "भारत में लगेगा लॉकडाउन... पीएम मोदी ने दिए संकेत" (Translation: "India will face lockdown... PM Modi gave hints") in the viral image.

Below is a picture comparison of the two bulletins. (Top : Viral Image. Bottom: Original Image )

Also, the image of the PM used in the viral image was taken from a virtual address at the inauguration of the Bengaluru Technological Summit 2020 on November 19 last year.

Contrary to the viral claim, Modi has recently said that lockdown should be the last option and the focus should be on micro-containment. "PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday addressed the nation and appealed to state governments to resort to lockdowns as the last resort in the battle against the pandemic", read a TIMES NOW report.

https://theprint.in/india/no-need-for-lockdowns-if-all-follow-covid-protocols-says-pm-modi-in-address-to-nation/643094/

Evidently, it is clear that the TV9 Bharatvarsh bulletin that purports to claim that Modi will be announcing a nationwide lockdown stricter than last year is false. No such decision has been made by the PM.